Jasmine's Boyfriend Paul Has a Large Boil on His Back

Jasmine's boyfriend Paul has a large boil on his back. The boil is very painful to touch, and is surrounded by an area of redness that is warm to the touch. Jasmine tells you that she and Paul have decided that Jasmine will "pop" the boil later that evening when they are both home from school. You ask Jasmine what she plans to use to open the boil and she tells you she has a knife with a sharp point that she will use, and that she will wash it well with dishwashing detergent before she uses it.


-You tell Jasmine that it is important that she use a sterile instrument to pierce Paul's boil. Jasmine does not know what "sterile" means or why she needs to use something sterile for her "boil surgery," so you explain. Select the best answer.

A) A sterile instrument is free of all most pathogens but not environmental organisms. Jasmine needs to use a sterile blade because it will come into contact with Paul's tissues, and is thus a semi-critical instrument.
B) A sterile instrument is free of most microbes. Jasmine needs to use a sterile blade because it will come into contact with Paul's tissues, and is a critical instrument, although the risk for infection is low.
C) A sterile instrument comes in a sealed pack and is returned to that before its next use. Jasmine needs to use a sterile blade because it will come into contact with Paul's tissues, and is thus a critical instrument.
D) A sterile instrument is free of all microbes, endospores, and viruses. Jasmine needs to use a sterile blade because it will come into contact with Paul's tissues, and is thus a critical instrument.
E) The only known sterile instruments are hypodermic syringes, so Jasmine should use that to pop Paul's boil. Syringes are non-critical instruments because they make small wounds.